Let the Android updates never end! In what feels like the millionth piece of Lollipop update news this week already (and it's only Wednesday morning!), Motorola has taken to Google+ to talk up some additional new updates. Specifically, these Motorola Android 5.1 updates concern the US Cellular and AT&T Moto X 2014, as well as the second-gen Moto E for Cricket. The bulk of the information is available below, thanks to a Google+ post from Motorola employee David Schuster. It's all pretty self-explanatory from the information below, organized by device, but one thing you may be confused ...

If there's one thing you generally don't expect when you're buying cheap phones, it's that you'll be receiving fast updates to the latest versions of the device's operating system. Well, that's not the case with Motorola, as its budget-friendly Moto E has been receiving updates that rival even Nexus devices in speed. Today, the Moto E Android 5.1 update has begun its rollout to all users of the second-gen model of the smartphone. Because of the fact that the Moto E is an unlocked smartphone offered off-contract, all owners of the device should be currently seeing an available update. For ...

It's really easy to dismiss a non-flagship smartphone as unusable. Why? Simply because of the fact that it's mid-range or low-end. Historically, these words have been used to describe smartphones which barely function, unable to muster anything more than the littlest of usability. That's probably what went through the heads of most as Motorola announced the second-gen Moto E, adding in 4G LTE and bringing the smartphone to $150. In the world we live in, in which flagship smartphones regularly retail for prices north of $600 in the United States, that's a pretty low number. It must ...

As the months roll by, and winter gives way to spring, more and more Android devices are being updated to Android Lollipop. Of course, by this point Lollipop itself has matured quite a bit, and from its early 5.0 days we've seen 5.0.1, 5.0.2, and now 5.1. Depending on just how far along a manufacturer is with its update development process when one of those new releases arrives, it may stick with its course and release a technically no-longer-quite-current update, or scramble to keep up with the latest build. Today we get a little news about Motorola's own decisions along that line, as it ...

It's been almost a year since we reviewed the first generation of Motorola's most budget-priced smartphone: the Moto E. The word "budget" carries with it images of dread and avoidance - though it shouldn't, especially when referring to the Moto E. Last year we said "you don't get something for nothing," and questioned whether Motorola Mobility sacrificed "too much" on the way to becoming "affordable." This year the 2015 Moto E (or "Moto E Gen 2" if you prefer) hit the ground running. Has Motorola done enough to elevate the Moto E from a "you get what you pay for" product to a loftier ...

Unlike Apple's iPhone or Nokia's Lumia series, phones from Motorola have been a mixed bag when it comes to camera performance. Depending on whether the smartphone in question is a high-end flagship or a low-end entry-level handset, the quality of pictures taken can vary widely. The camera in question today is that which is nestled snugly into the 2015 version of the Moto E. Just how good is the 2015 Moto E Camera? The Past Before we answer that question let's look at last year's Moto E as a point of reference. The 2014 Moto E included a 5MP fixed-focus camera with a resolution of 2592 х ...

While we come to MWC every year to see the hot new phones, tablets, and wearables, the conference isn't just about introducing new devices. The GSM Association, which hosts MWC, also uses the show as its opportunity to announce its Global Mobile Awards, recognizing the best of the best in mobile tech. This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the ceremony, and while some of the winners may seem obvious, others are sure to spark some controversy. For best smartphone of the year, we've got a tie, with the GSMA giving top honors to both the Apple iPhone 6 and the LG G3. The iPhone 6 is ...

Motorola just sent out what it's calling a "press conference in a box", containing some press credentials and the brand new 2015 Moto E. To refresh your memory, the Moto E is an affordable, unlocked handset aimed at closing the technology gap. Interestingly, Motorola doesn't seem to be cutting many corners to get at its $149 price tag - in fact, the new Moto E comes with a spec bump that we're sure you're going to love! First up, Motorola included LTE this time around, whereas it had previously only included HSPA+. If you want to save some money we're hearing that there will be another ...

Motorola introduced its extremely affordable Moto E back in the middle of last May, and by the end of the year, we already found ourselves talking about plans for a possible sequel. Word was that the phone would see its screen grow by a tiny amount, and maybe even make the step up from a 200-series Snapdragon SoC to one in the 400 family. However, despite that source claiming that Motorola would launch the new Moto E soon, we've seen a couple months pass without any launch, nor much in the way of further rumors. Now a newly-leaked render may provide the next piece in the second-gen Moto E ...

There is absolutely no need to recap Motorola's efforts related to the Android 5.0 Lollipop update; instead, we'll just praise the company for being among the first ones to deliver Google's latest and greatest to its current devices. However, those who own older models are not enjoying the Lollipop dessert just yet, but the company is getting there, according to Motorola's Luciano Carvalho who took some details on the progress to his Google+ page (embedded below). According to the post, Carvalho reassures everyone that Motorola is working hard on updating 2014 and 2013 devices. Some are ...

We didn't plan on it, but this is sure turning into one Motorola-packed day at the smartphone news desk. Following the release of an app update that's getting last year's Moto G ready for Lollipop, and whispers about a possible high-end phablet due sometime next year, we now find ourselves checking in with the latest rumors about the most budget-friendly of Motorola's already pretty affordable lineup, as sources start talking about what to expect for a follow-up to the Moto E. A report from the site Techmaniacs in Greece claims to have spent some hands-on time with Motorola's second-gen ...

After one too many leftover turkey sandwiches, topped-off with near-lethal doses of gravy, Thanksgiving – and the lazy weekend that follows it – is over for another year. If you're like many shoppers, you took a break from the food on Friday, bundled up against the cold, and headed out to try snagging yourself a Black Friday deal or two. And while all the Black Friday savings may be behind us, there's one last hurrah to be had, as retailers take one more big stab at getting your holiday shopping dollar, offering today's Cyber Monday savings. Now, some of the deals we mentioned for ...

Android 5.0 Lollipop is on the way, and we know many of you with those fancy new Moto Xs are just itching to use it on your phone. So instead of being inundated with "ETA please!!!" all day long after the source code for the update drops, Motorola is trying to escape the bombardment by setting up a dedicated Motorola Lollipop update tracker for its most recent phones. Motorola, of course, has been almost-godlike in its delivery of speedy updates to owners of its phones over the course of the last year or so. It brought Android 4.4 KitKat to the original Moto X in an incredibly quick ...

As with the Lumia 520, Nokia is trying to prove something with the announcement of its successor, the Lumia 530. This isn't just your average budget phone, but also a very powerful budget phone that fits perfectly in the hands of those that have never owned a smartphone, and that would like to start conservatively. Still, that doesn't change the fact that Nokia isn't the only company after this demographic, and with competing devices like the Moto G, Nokia has decided to launch a new campaign to help you decide which is better. In the following videos you'll notice how Microsoft's new ...

Motorola has come a long way since the days of MOTOBLUR and a casual attitude towards Android updates, and its latest family of smartphones hasn't only offered extremely pared-down, near stock Android experiences, but delivered platform updates with speed rivaling even what we get from straight-up Nexus devices. Today we see the latest proof of just how nimble Motorola has become when it's time for a new update to arrive, as it gets started updating its own phones to Android 4.4.3 just one day after the build saw its official release. Considering how we're still waiting for OTA updates for ...

Motorola made some waves the other day when it announced its Moto E smartphone. This phone started at a low price of just $129 and was targeted at a global market out shopping for a durable phone. A phone that doesn’t necessarily have to be powerful. A phone that does the basics very well. In other words, a phone that's cheap and low-end. Well the intersection of Cheap Street and Low-End Lane has had an occupant for some time now. The Lumia 520 is the very definition of cheap and low-end. There are some similar specifications here, but the main difference is Windows Phone versus Android. ...

If you listened to the Weekly last week, you heard that I was on, so therefore it was awesome. Actually, it’s awesome all the time but it bubbles over when I…never mind. On the weekly last week we took some time to discuss the latest Moto Phone to delve the depths of the smartphone price ocean. The Moto E is the latest low-end smartphone to hit the market that might just be worth looking at. As a matter of fact, two of my day job co-workers independently approached me and asked about the Moto E. I told both of them, “Spend the extra $50 and get the Moto G.” Both of them responded ...

This review's subtitle is an axiom known to parents, financial advisors, and other dispensers of wisdom far and wide – but it's important to note that it's not necessarily a condemnation. The newest product out of Motorola Mobility has an awful lot going for it precisely because of its bargain-basement price tag. With the Moto E, Motorola aims to provide an easier upgrade path to the 70% of global mobile users still stuck on feature phones, to convert smartphone ownership from a privilege to a right. But to coin another adage, "you don't get something for nothing." While Motorola ...

Because of its rock-bottom price tag, it's inevitable that many Android enthusiasts will purchase a Moto E just to use as a device to test custom ROMs -- although, some of Motorola's bootloaders have been hard to crack in the past, making it a pain to customize the affected devices more than Motorola intends. Fortunately, the Moto E will be entirely free, as Motorola has officially added the device to its Bootloader Unlock program. The variants of the Moto E from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Latin America have all been added to the program. All users have to do is head to the Motorola ...

What exactly qualifies as a "remix?" How deluded do you have to be to believe in all these "Prime" rumors? Why are we so transfixed by the notion of lasers on smartphones, and so easily taken in by a smartphone commercial, if it's shot like a trailer for Inception? We tackle these questions, and the biggest announcement section in the history of the podcast, in episode 096 of the Pocketnow Weekly. No, that's not bragging – it's just an unavoidable symptom of a month packed with unboxings, hands-ons, product launches, and reviews (both forthcoming and already-published). But even in the ...

Motorola's made a quick stop on the road to crafting the so-called "$50 smartphone," releasing a $129 miniature handset called the Moto E in the process. We went hands-on with the Moto E in New York City earlier this week before showing you what it's camera is made of. Our full review is coming later in the month, but in the interim, we thought we'd put the Moto E up against Motorola's reigning low-cost smartphone, the Moto G. After all, the Moto G isn't just some down-specced Moto X that the company launched and then forgot about. In terms of sales, it's the most successful smartphone in ...

Anxious to learn more about the Motorola Moto E? Well, a good first step is to take a look at our hands-on. Then, you may want to watch this upcoming official Hangout to help you learn more. The Hangout will go live on Thursday, May 22, at 3:00 PM Eastern time (that translates to noon for our friends in Pacific time). Motorola will be calling upon their Vice President of Product Marketing, Steve Sinclair, to field questions during the Hangout. Also attending will be Product Manager Bill Park. Motorola labels this as a chance to ask any questions you may have regarding the Moto E's hardware ...

Watch today's Pocketnow Daily as we talk about the launch of the Moto E, LTE Moto G and even Motorola's Alert services. Samsung is next as we talk about the rumors of the Galaxy S5 Active, and what to expect. LG follows the news as we talk about the LG G3 teaser and the LG Uni8 rumors. iOS 8 follows as it's rumored that it'll include HD Audio Playback. We end today's show talking about another iOS 8 feature, split-screen multitasking, but not for every iOS device. All this and more after the break. Stories: - Motorola Moto E now official at $129.00, pre-orders open - LTE-capable Moto G ...

A 5MP fixed-focus camera with no flash, no stabilization, no front-facing selfie-shooting counterpart, and no fancy features to speak of. Yes indeed, the Moto E camera is about as bare-bones as it gets. On Motorola's specs page for the Moto E, where even the most minor features are called out in elaborate detail, the optics section is laughably spartan: Of course, such is life on the low end of the smartphone spectrum. We already have some guidance that's helped set our expectations in this area: the Moto E's Windows Phone-based competitor, the much-cheaper Lumia 520, went under our review ...

"Built to last, priced for all." That's the motto behind Motorola's latest smartphone designed for developing markets, and we're in NYC to bring you a first hands-on. As you can see in the video below, the family resemblance here is strong: the Moto E is physically very similar to the flagship-level Moto X and its more-affordable cousin, the Moto G. While the Moto E is noticeably thicker than each, it also has a smaller footprint on its face, making it just as comfortable to hold, if not more so. As we reported earlier today, specs are as you might expect from a smartphone with the Moto ...